Boy dies from cancer after celebrating Christmas early

A boy has died from cancer a week after his parents celebrated Christmas early, knowing he likely wouldn't make it to December.

Oliver Brown, 11, died after a three-year-battle with a rare form of blood cancer. In 2016, the UK boy was diagnosed with Myelodsplastic Syndrome, which affects just four in one million children worldwide. Despite intensive treatment, including more than 15 operations and almost six months in hospital, Oliver passed away at a children's hospice on Saturday evening. He was surrounded by family, including his parents Mike and Nicola and brother Benjamin, eight.

Last week the family told Plymouth Live they had decided to celebrate Christmas early knowing Oliver wouldn't be with them this December. They put up lights at the front of their home, a snowman in the garden, a Christmas tree, decorations and a life-size singing Santa, as well as a Lego Winter Village including a moving train.

The 11-year-old had been in intensive treatment since his diagnosis in 2016. (Supplied)

"He was adored by anyone who ever met him, he was unique," mum Nicola told the publication. "They broke the mould when they gave us Oliver. He was loving, cheeky, compassionate, brave, and was really contented with who he was as an individual. He had a real zest for life."

His father Mike talked about his son's love of Christmas.

"Oliver had a real love of Christmas, hence why we did it," he said.

His father Mike says his son endeared himself to everyone he met. (Supplied)

Of his son's "very memorable personality", the dad added: "He was born with a natural ability to make people warm to him. People smiled when they saw him and when they left him they wouldn't forget him.

"The things that set him above anyone else was his sense of humour and his compassion - his ability to deal with stuff."

Benjamin is doing his best to cope with the loss of his big brother. At one stage Oliver needed a stem cell transplant, but Benjamin wasn't a match so a donor was found.

Oliver died after a three-year-battle with blood cancer. (Supplied)

Oliver remained in isolation for seven weeks following the treatment, and communicated with his little brother using walkie talkies during that time.

He returned home after months in hospital in May 2017 and was home-schooled until October before returning to school.

Just before Easter 2018, Oliver's parents noticed he was tiring more easily and it was confirmed the cancer had returned.

Nicola says her son was always smiling, even during treatment. (Supplied)

A second transplant was arranged using donated stem cells, but the cancer advanced too fast for it to be effective. Oliver remained in hospital until November before returning home once again; however, his health was so compromised he eventually developed shingles.

"He has undergone so much, far more than any adult would expect to go through in their entire life," his mother said. "He was born deaf and his whole life has revolved around hospitals. We cannot sing the praises of the NHS enough. Everyone who has been involved in Oliver's treatment, particularly over the last three years, has been exceptional.

Oliver with his brother Benjamin, eight. (Supplied)

"The levels of care, compassion and support for not just Oliver, but us as a family, has made this so much easier to live through."

When charities heard about the family's plans to celebrate Christmas early for their son, they donated generously, including a tree house and a luxury cruise.

The family fit in as much fun and joy for Oliver that his health would allow.

"Whatever Oliver has faced in life he has done with a smile on his face and love in his heart," Nicola said. "There has been more laughter than tears in the last three years, and we want to remember Oliver like that."